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Post by The Almighty Narf on Jun 2, 2005 12:27:37 GMT -5
I have to wonder if anyone really knows what casual or non-gamers really want. Just the other day, I was reading a mainstream news article slamming Nintendo's E3 showing and philosophy. The author basically said that casual gamers don't care about innovation, they only like pretty graphics and lots of power. On the other hand, I've also read articles that say people who don't usually play games at all have been picking up the DS. (Particularly in Japan with Nintendogs.) So maybe Nintendo's plan is working after all. There were only 2 games this generation to really brake into the mainstream. The Sims, and Grand Theft Auto 3. Both had horrable graphics, and played nothing like any other game ever made. What I think is that the "experts" have no idea what casual gamers want becouse they're always hanging around with hard core gamers, and that Nintendo is finaly catching on to what is actualy doing well. |
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icymatt
Pikpik Carrot
Biggus Squidus
Posts: 148
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Post by icymatt on Jun 2, 2005 17:43:45 GMT -5
I don't think so. I've heard several casual gamers, and they want blood, licensed sports and blood.
What Nintendo really needs to do is beef up their marketing campaigns. Get those ads out! Make sure your games are known! Hype!
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Post by Smashchu on Jun 2, 2005 21:35:13 GMT -5
well what casual gamers want is a fickel thing. I think something simple is in order.This way it dosn't take 10 hours of consecutive play to understand*Cough*Halo*cough*. Also If the systems cheaper then that will help. With the DS it something different, new and still fun and poeple bought it. this may be what they want.
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Post by Fryguy64 on Jun 3, 2005 3:42:32 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!!
Sounds like the writer of that article wasn't making a distinction between casual gamers and non-gamers. Personally, I don't think there's such a thing as a casual gamer. People who play games a a hobby, whether a little or a lot, enjoy losing themselves in impressive graphics. Nintendo fans can bray and whine that it's not true of them... but it is. Look at the reactions to Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, for example. Even if you looked forward to TWW, you're probably looking forward to TP even more.
On the other hand, non-gamers are NOT impressed by flashy graphics and blood and all that rubbish that "casual gamers" like. They like karaoke games, dance games, party games, virtual pet games, Sims-like games, puzzle games... PC Solitaire. Non gamers like Will Wright games.
Game industry commentary uses far too many vague and undefined terms, and tries to build arguments on them. Is it any surprise that most general game magazines and websites are retarded?
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Post by Dances in Undergarments on Jun 3, 2005 5:19:03 GMT -5
Before Wind Waker and barely even knew who Link was (aside from seeing him in SSBM), so I can't compare my enthusiasm of the two, but I love the Cel-Shading of TWW. More games should have it.
Back on topic, yes, there is often confusion between "casual gamers" and "non-gamers" (I confused them myself sometimes). Nintendo seems to have two main focusses to start with - Nintendo nerds who will buy it anyway, and non-gamers who would never have picked up a console. However, by appealing to non-gamers, it should be able to pick up casuals as well. If it works, it'll be a great plan. But if it doesn't....
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Post by Fryguy64 on Jun 3, 2005 7:00:37 GMT -5
I'm just eager to see if this new Nintendo is actually serious about recapturing the home console market, or whether they'll dither about as they have been doing. They know they should rule the market, as they make the best games and the most reliable, interesting and profitable systems... but they're stumped as to why they're slowly being overtaken anyway.
And frankly, all things considered, so am I. There are reasons why Nintendo's behind, sure... but there's an equal number of reasons why Sony and Microsoft should be behind.
And I'm just afraid it may all boil down to that age-old argument that has plagued Nintendo for a decade or so. They need better marketing.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jun 3, 2005 11:43:18 GMT -5
You're right. There is a big difference between casual and non-gamers, and I know at least one of each. As for the article I was referring to, here it is: www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?id=496I would've posted it earlier, but I wasn't able to get to it. I was thinking it was from CNN or something, but it's from a technology news site, which isn't really mainstream. I apologize if I misled anyone on that. If we're going to talk about why Nintendo should be more popular, or why Sony or MS should be less popular, it's probably nothing more complicated than reputation. The Gamecube just doesn't have a favorable one. I'm reminded of a quote from the movie Rocky which I won't repeat because it relies on a word I probably can't use here. Basically, it makes the point that a reputation is what people remember, regardless of whether it reflects the reality. But in Nintendo's case, it probably does. Their games may be fun, but in most cases, the themes skew young. And that's just not considered cool. |
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Swedol
Bubbles
How Could I Win Here, Where Fools Can Be Kings
Posts: 592 
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Post by Swedol on Jun 22, 2005 12:25:59 GMT -5
Down whit X-Box It Sucks hard
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Post by Andronicus on Jun 22, 2005 18:02:51 GMT -5
swedishdolphin, we can't just say stuff like that - that's your opinion, and not everybody here will agree that it "sucks hard" - but it's all cool. ;D And I wanted to say, on Fryguy's point, I don't get it either. I was thinking about Nintendo's franchises the other day, and there is some quality and avried stuff in there. Super Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, F-Zero, Donkey Kong, etc. It's not all aimed at kids either. I don't know... people want sex and violence in their games (or at least that's what many new game developers will have us think), and that's what disappoints me a lot, as an old-school gamer. Ah well...  |
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Post by Dances in Undergarments on Jun 23, 2005 6:19:28 GMT -5
Andronicus makes a good point, especially in bringing up F-Zero. As some of you may have seen in my other posts, there is an arcade in Adelaide that has an F-zero AX machine, and it seems (from all the times I've visited) that it is one of, if not the, busiest machines there, especially with the teenage guys.... which is the exact same group that is likely to dismiss the GCN for not having any 'adult' games. Hell, they probably don't even know the game is on GCN.
But, looking at it, Nintendo, who seem to be a very big part of that arcade (there is a demo kiosk in there, and they give out Nintendo prizes in competitions) should really have their consoles in the homes of most of, if not all, of these people. Nintendo needs to address this and make sure it does.
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Post by Andronicus on Jun 23, 2005 19:58:17 GMT -5
You know, I just responded to your post on GPA DIU, and after reading this one here on F-Zero, you've fuelled my interest some more.
I'll definitely have to hire this game out for a weekend (maybe next weekend) and give it a whirl.
But yeah, Nintendo does have sme killer franchises on-board, but for some reason...
And with this arcade thing that DIU mentioned - that is DEFINITELY something that Nintendo has to address - there's an entire market there that likes Nintendo games but doesn't know it!
;D
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Post by Xeno82 on Jun 23, 2005 21:17:52 GMT -5
You also mentioned Metroid. The Metroid Prime games are some of the most sophisticated I've ever played. They are definitely intended for a teen/adult audience. Younger kids can play them, I guess, but I can't imagine them caring enough to catalogue all of the lifeforms or piece together the Chozo lore.
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Post by Fryguy64 on Jun 24, 2005 3:07:17 GMT -5
The adult market does go for adventures, stealth and FPSs more than anything. Gamecube has the quality titles there, but in no great numbers. If they're lucky then people might well buy a Gamecube just for some of the more teen-adult-oriented games, like Metroid Prime, Eternal Darkness, F-Zero...
And they're finally getting some of the third-parties on board with exclusive mature game support.... Resi4, Killer 7... but this is all counterproductive when these titles are swallowed up by the armies of games aimed at young children. Bright, colourful and plastic worlds have swallowed Gamecube, while at least the young-oriented games on X-Box and PS2 are more in line with the current range of children's TV programming - a bit grittier, a bit more immature humour... basically everything Rare laid the groundwork for on the N64.
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Post by mrmolecule on Jun 24, 2005 21:35:13 GMT -5
Hmm...your last paragraph made me think of Conker...the original happy squirrel in a green-tree world (Twelve Tales: Conker 64) down to some cigar-smoking, foul-mouthed rodent (Conker: Live and Reloaded). Rare changed all that because Banjo-Tooie was also sorta "cute".
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Post by Andronicus on Jun 24, 2005 22:15:15 GMT -5
"Conker's BFD" on the N64 was absolutely great stuff! ;D I really liked that game - so many references to things, and it really broke the mould - I like that. Sure, it was violent and crude, but it was genuinely funny. Well, at least I thought so. I don't know if I'd want to see more of this though - you know, juust making crude games for the sake of it, simply to cash in on an idea... the way the majority of the video game industry is running itself right now...  |
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